Pendant-switch.



G. D. GB RVIN. PENDANT SWITCH.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 26, 1908 977,446. Patented Dec. 6,- 1910.

CHARLES D. GEBVIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PENDANT-SWITCH.

aware.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 6, HMO.

Application filed March 26, 1908. Serial No. 423,311.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GHAnLns D. GnRviN, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the borough of hianhattan and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inPendant-Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

My invention relates to a construction of pendant or other switch of thetype having a deprcssible button which is actuated to complete thecircuit to be controlled. Switches of this character have in some casesbeen made with a separate release button which is manipulated tointerrupt the circuit after the said circuit closing button has beendepressed.

It is the purpose of my present invention to provide means whereby thesuccessive actuation of the main controlling button will first act tocomplete the circuit and subsequently to open it. In this way, thedevice is made more symmetrical and ornamental in appearance, and ismore simply controlled or operated. I make use of a switch blade orelement which is repeatedly displaced rotatably in a given direction bythe successive movements of the operating button, which causes theaction of cam faces to positively move the switch element through apredetermined angle.

The invention includes various matters of construction by which theswitch is very simply and economically manufactured, and is very strongand durable in use.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thefeatures of construction and combination hereinafter pointed out in theappended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings anddescrip tion in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is setforth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a pendantswitch embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a section ofthe same on the line IL-II of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of thearrows. Fig. 3 is a section on the line III-J11 looking in the directionof the arrows. Fig. 4: is a detail view partly in vertical sectionshowing the operating parts in a plane at right angles to that of Fig.1.

Referring to the drawings in which like parts are designated by the samereference sign, 1 indicates a porcelain block or body which ispreferably generally cylindrical on its exterior surface, and has aninterior cavity 2, the main portion 3 of which is of rectangulartransverse section, as shown in Fig. Within this cavity there isreceived a frame 42, which I prefer to make of boxlike form, comprisinga U shaped sheet metal strip or stamping 5 and a rectangular sheet metalstrip or stamping 6. The frame part 6 has a circular perforation 7 onits upper face and a similar somewhat larger perforation 8 on its lowerface at the point where its meeting ends 9 come together. (See Fig. 8).The frame part 5 is made with a small perforation 10 and is assembledover the bottom face of the part 6 so as to embrace the sides thereof,with the hole 10 coaxial with the openings 7 and 8 of the said part 6.At points adjacent to the hole 10, the part 5 is deeply cut away ornotched at 11, the notches being deep enough to expose portions of theadjacent opening 8 in the part 6. (See Fig. 3). In this relation, theparts and (3 may be permanently assembled together by screws 12 andfastened within the block or body 1 by screws 13.

15 designates a tubular plunger which I make with diametrically oppositeelongated notches or cut-away portions 16, so that along the length ofthe plunger corresponding to these notches, there only remains a pair ofdiametrically opposite arcuate strips 17, constituting a skeletonframework to hold the end portions of the tubular plunger together. Atits outer end, the plunger has a button 18 by which it is depressed. Atits inner end, the plunger may have certain parts which act to secure acam-impelled movement of the switch element, as later described. In thedrawings, I have shown the inner end of the plunger 15 formed withnotches 20 having inclined edges 21 constituting cam faces. The U-shapedpart 5 is passed through the cut-away portions 16 of the plunger beforeit is assembled on the part 6, so that, when all these devices areassembled, the plunger is guided within the frame 4 to have adepressible, but non-rotatable relation therein. As illustrated in Fig.3, the arcuate strip portions 17 of the plunger are received in thenotches 11 of the frame part 5, and are inclosed by the sur roundingedges of the opening 8 in the frame part 6.

22 designates a spring received within the hollow plunger 15 and bearingagainst the U-shaped frame part 5, for impelling said plunger normallyoutward from said frame. The outward movement of the plunger is, ofcourse, limited by the length of the notches or cut-away portions 16thereof.

25 designates the spindle of the switch element, which has a square,rectangular, or otherwise non-cylindrical portion 26 at its upper end, acylindrical portion 27 at its middle adapted to be slidably receivedwithin the hollow plunger 15, and a lower terminal stud 28 receivedwithin the hole 10 of the U-shaped frame part 5. The square portion 26of this spindle is rotatably received in the opening 7 of the frame 1,and the spindle is held against longitudinal movement in eitherdirection through open ings 7 and 8 by its central enlarged part 27. Theplunger 15 telescopes over the spindle 25 in its movement of depression.

30 designates the switch element formed of a narrow sheet metal strip orblade cen trally enlarged at 31 and perforated with a square holecorresponding to the square portion 26 of the spindle. The switchelement 80 is loose 011 its spindle, so as to be capable of longitudinaldisplacement, but is always rotated with the spindle on account of thesquare shape of the engaging parts.

32 designates a nut on the upper end of the spindle and 33 is a washerwhich cooperates with the nut to limit the upward movement of the switchelement.

34: denotes a spring surrounding the spindle between the switch elementand the upper face of the frame 4. This spring keeps the switch elementpressed upwardly to its limit of movement determined by the nut 32. Thecircuit terminals are established by plates 36 secured to ledges 37 atthe upper portion of the cavity 2 in the block 1.

38 designates the terminal screws by which the circuit wires areattached. Each of these contact plates 36 has an upwardly deflectedtongue 39 in the path of the extremities of the switch element 30, sothat the latter is guided beneath the tongues and into. engagement withthe contact plates during its movement of rotation. When the switchelement is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, electrical.connection between the'terminal plates 36 is broken or interrupted attwo'separate points. If the switch element is displaced through 90 fromthis position to the relation shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, it isevident that the electrical circuit is completed between the terminalplates directly through the switch element. In this engagement theswitch element iskept pressed constantly upward by its spring 3 1, butyields downwardly as far as necessary to accommodate the irregularitiesof the contact plates. The spring pressure maintains a good electricalconnection under all circumstances, when the switch element is displacedinto its circuitclosing relation.

I provide means making use of a cam for displacing the switch element inits angular movement. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawing,I provide the notches 20 with cam faces 21 on the depressible plunger15, which cooperate with a pin 4.0 on the spindle 25. There are four camfaces 21 each extending in a spiral direction for about a quarter of thecircumference around the tubular plunger 15, being joined together bythe straight or vertical edges 41. The relation between the pin 10 andthe faces 21 is such that, when the switch element 30 is in any of itspositions of rest, said pin 40 is in a location to be engaged anddisplaced by an inclined face 21 of the plunger. (See Fig. 4). Themovement of the plunger is adapted to displace the switch elementthrough nearly 90 or until the pin a0 comes in contact with the verticaledge ll. In this relation, means constituting an important feature of myinvention, causes the completion of movement of the switch elementthrough its complete throw of 90.

The fact has been referred to that the upper portion 26 of the spindle25 is square or non-circular in transverse section. By this means, twoof the sides of the square are always presented in a certain or fixeddirec tion whenever the switch element is in its properly thrownposition to open or close the circuit. I take advantage of this fact tosecure a completion of the movement of the switch element to eithercircuit opening or circuit closing relation.

43 designates blade springs conveniently made integral with one anotherout of a single piece of springy wire which is bent into a U-shape withits middle portion downwardly deflected at 14. This portion 1 1 passesthrough an opening 45 in the frame part 6, and is secured to said framepart by a screw 4-7. The tension of the leaf or blade springs 13 istoward one another and they extend in parallel directions adapted toembrace opposite fiat side faces of the square portion of the spindle.The springs tend to embrace the square portion of theplunger with aresilient pressure at all times, so that a cam action is exerted todisplace the spindle to a position where its fiat faces are in alinementwith said blade springs 13. If the switch element is displaced throughanything less than a complete throw of 90, its movement is thereforecompleted by the action of the springs 4:3. The switch is inclosed inthe usual sheet metal casing 4-8 which I conveniently make of two partstelescoping together to inclose the block or body 1.

49 designates an insulating bushing at the upper end of the casing 48through which the circuit wires may enter for their connection with theterminal screws 38.

The use and operation of the device will be clear from the foregoingdescription. Assuming that the parts are in the open circuiting relationshown in the drawings, it is evident that, if the botton 18 isdepressed, the pin 4L0 will be engaged by one of the cam faces 21 anddisplaced through an angle of nearly 90, or until it brings up againstthe straight edge 41. This movement causes new faces of the squareportion 26 of the spindle to be presented in nearly but not exactlyparallel relation to the blade springs 43. Accordingly, said bladesprings exert a pressure to force the spindle to complete its 90movement, and this movement is completed as soon as the button 18returns downwardly so that the pin 4:0 is freed from the edge 11. Theswitch element has now been moved beneath the contact plates 36, whichposition it takes without constraint or excessive friction, by virtue ofits downwardly yielding character. Adequate pressure for the purposes ofestablishing an electrical connection between the contact plate is,however, insured by the pressure of the spring 3a which maintains a firmcontact of the switch element with the contact plates under allcircumstances. The switch element having been thrown through a 90movement from its original position, it is evident that the pin 10 isnow adapted to cooperate with another cam face 21 in exactly the samemanner as already described. In this way, the switch element is steppedaround rotatably through 90 angles by successive depressions of the pushbutton 18, and it is evident that it is positioned to open and close thecircuit of the switch at each successive actuation respectively.

It is understood that when the switch element 30 is given a quarter turnfor closing the switch, its terminals first come in contact with thetongues or cams 39, which cause an inward sliding of the switch element30 on the polygonal spindle portion 26 against the tension of the spring34, so that when the terminals of the switch element 30 have finallymoved under the contact plates 36, then the pressure of the spring 34causes a firm contact of the terminals of the switch element 30 with thecontact plates 36. When the switch element is given the next quarterturn for opening the switch, the spring 34 immediately causes an outwardsliding of the switch element 30, as soon as the terminals of the switchelement 30 leave the under side of the contact plates, thus insuring aprompt breaking of the electrical connection to avoid arcing. It isfurther understood that the plate spring 413 completes the turning ofthe spindle 25 as soon as the vertical edge 41 of a notch 20 releasesthe pin 40, so that the said pin 1-0 is moved a short distance beyondthe vertical edge 41, to be in position for engagement by the cam face21 of the next following notch 20 at the next depression of the plunger15. Thus by the arrangement described the plate spring 43 moves thespindle 25 to a final position of rest, and the pin to and cam faces 21move into operative position on releasing the plunger 15.

Vhat I claim is:

1. An electrical switch comprising a cupshaped housing, a spindle havinga non-circular portion angularly movable therein, a switch elementcarried by said spindle, a frame within said housing for supporting theswitch element, a tubular plunger depressible through said housing andframe and having cam faces for rotating said spindle through successiveangular movements in the same direction, and a spring engaging thenon-circular portion of said spindle for supplementing the action ofsaid cam faces.

2. An electrical switch, comprising a rotatable spindle, a switchelement mounted to turn with the said spindle and to slide thereon inthe direction of the length of the spindle, a spring pressing the saidswitch element, fixed contact plates having cams for engagement by thesaid switch element to direct the latter into firm contact with the saidcontact plates, and mechanical means connected with the said spindle forintermittently rotating the spindle on alternately pushing and releasingthe said means.

3. An electrical switch comprising a rotatable spindle having a switchelement, a frame in which said spindle is rotatable, a plungertelescoping over the spindle and guided by said frame to have a limitedlongitudinal but no angular movement, and means acting, when saidplunger is released, for abruptly rotating the spindle.

4. An electrical switch, comprising a r0- tatable spindle, a switchelement mounted on the said spindle to turn with the same and to yieldin the direction of the length of the spindle, fixed contact plateshaving cams for engagement by the said switch element to direct thelatter into firm contact with the said contact plates, a pin on the saidspindle, and a spring-pressed plunger mounted to slide and having a camprovided with a plurality of cam faces for engagement with the said pinto intermittently rotate the said spindle on successively depressing andreleasing the said plunger.

5. An electrical switch, comprising a rotatable spindle, a switchelement mounted on the said spindle to turn with the same and to yieldin the direction of the length of the spindle, fixed contact plateshaving cams for engagement by the said switch element to direct thelatter into firm contact with the said contact plates, a pinon the saidspindle, a spring -presscd plunger mounted to slide and having a cam provided with a plurality of cam faces for en gagement with the said pin tointermittently rotate the said spindle on successively pressing andreleasing the said plunger, and a spring engaging the said spindle forturning the spindle to final position of rest on releasing the plunger.

6. An electrical switch, comprising a frame, a hollow plunger having cutout portions through which extends a portion of the frame to hold theplunger against turning and to guide the plunger in its axial movement,a spring pressing the said plunger to hold the latter in a normal orrelease position, a cam secured on the said plunger and provided with aplurality of cam faces, a spindle mounted to turn in the said frame, apin on the said spindle and adapted to be engaged and disengaged by thesaid cam faces on alternately depressing and releasing the plunger tointermittently rotate the said spindle, a switch element on the saidspindle to turn with the latter, fixed contact plates adapted to bealternately engaged and disengaged by the said switch element, and meansfor moving the said pin and cam faces into operative position ondisengaging the cam from the said pin on the release of the plunger.

7. An electrical switch, comprising a frame, a hollow plunger having cutout portions through which extends a portion of the frame to hold theplunger against .tu1ning and to guide the plunger in its axialalii'iement, a spring pressing the said plunger to hold the latter in anormal or release position, a cam secured on the said plunger andprovided with a plurality of cam faces, a spindle mounted to turn in thesaid frame and having a non-circular portion, a pin on the said spindleand adapted to be engaged and disengaged by the said cam faces onalternately depressing and releasing the plunger to intermittentlyrotate the said spindle, a switch element on the said spindle to turnwith the latter, fixed contact plates adapted to be alternately engagedand disengaged by the said switch element, and a spring pressing thesaid non-circular portion of the spindle for moving the said spindleinto final position of rest on disengaging the cam from the said pin onthe release of the plunger.

In witness whereof, I subscribe my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

CHARLES D. GERVIN.

Witnesses FRANK S. Oman, lVziLoo M. CI-IAPIN.

